Necktie having adjustable neckband and band element therefor



Dec. 15, 1953 w, MAYER NECKTIE HAVING ADJUSTABLE NECKBAND, AND BAND ELEMENT THEREFOR Filed July 29 1952 INVENTOR flaw Mme.

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Patented Dec. 15, 1953 UNETED STATS FiCE William Mayer, Belle Harbcr, N. Y.

Application July 29, 1952, Serial No. 301,569 2 Claims. (Cl. 2155) My present invention relates generally to neckwear, and has particular reference to neckties of the adjustable-neckband type, such as those illustrated in United States Letters Patent 2,029,181.

In a tie of this kind, the effective length of the neckband can be varied by doubling a part of it back upon itself and by providing its end with a fastening element adapted to engage with a selected one of a series of longitudinally spaced openings in the neckband. As is customary in the manufacture of such adjustable ties, it is advantageous to form the openings referred to in an independently fabricated strip or band which is subsequently incorporated with the tie con struction. The usual tie is formed of inner and outer plies of material, and one way of associating the perforated band with the tie is to secure it in overlying relation to the inner ply; another way is to construct the inner ply of the necktie of shorter length thanthe outer ply and to sew the perforated band into position as a continua tion of the inner ply.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a perforated band of the character referred to, in which the inherent woven nature of the band is of such a kind that it imparts to the band, and to the tie with which it is used, qualities which make the tie thinner and more compact, more resistant to wear over long periods of use, and easier to pass through or around a collar or neckband.

In achieving this objective I employ a specially designed unitary band of woven fabric which is of single-ply thickness along its longitudinal margins, yet tubular in nature, hence of dcubleply thickness, along its medial region. Moreover, the longitudinal edges are selvaged. As a result, a minimum of bulkiness exists along the edges of the tie, while desirable additional strength is imparted to the central part of the band with which the fastening element engages and upon which its pull is exerted.

In the accompanying drawings, illustrating several ways of carrying out the features of the invention and attaining its advantages:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a tie of the readyetied variety, employing a band of the present improved kind;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a piece of the specially woven fabric which I employ for the perforated band;

Figure 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view along the line 3-3 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the manner in which the invention may be used with. the J type of tie which is not pre-tied;

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 1, illustrating a different way of associating the perforated band with the tie; and

Figures 6 and 7 are enlarged cross-sectional views along the lines 6-6 and 'll of Figure 5.

The article of neckwear shown in Figure 1 has a bow 20 with a preformed knot 21. Extending in opposite directions from the rear of the knot are the neckband portions 22 and 23. The neckband of the tie is adjustable in effective length by securing a fastening element 2a to the end of the part 23 and doubling this part back upon itself, whereby the element 25 may be caused to engage with any selected one of a series of longitudinally spaced perforations. A loop element 25 is slidably mounted on the neckband portion 23 and is adapted to be engaged by a hook 25: carried at the end of the neckband portion 22.

The tie shown is madeup of inner and outer plies 2'! and 28 (Figure 3) of suitable tie fabric, plain or ornamented as may be desired. The longitudinal edges of these plies are doubled inwards in well known fashion and are held together by the concealed stitches 29. In the construction illustrated the separately fabricated band 39 is stitched, as at 3 I, to the outside of the inner ply 2! in overlying relation thereto. The band is preferably narrower than the neckband so that the stitches 3! will lie within the medial area between the thicker-margins of the neckband. I

In accordance with my invention the band 38 is a length of specially woven fabric of the nature indicated in Figure 2. It has selvaged longitudinal edges l0, and in the marginal regions H alongside of these edges it is of single-ply thickness. In the medial region l2, the bounds of which are approximately indicated by the dotand-dash lines 13, it is of tubular or two-ply construction. The weaving techniques re uired to produce this band are well known per se, and need not be described in detail. Sufiice it to point out that one way of accomplishing the desired result is to employ two sets of warps (running lengthwise of the band), the first set having the width of the band, the second set extending only across the double-ply central region. All of the filler threads interweave with the first set of warp threads in the marginal single-ply regions. In the tubular medial region some of the fillers engage with the first set of warps, others with the second set. Obviously, if desired, one set of warp threads may be of a color which contrasts with the color of the other set.

The band 38 is provided along a central longitudinal line with the spaced perforations 34.

These may be substantially circular openings, or slits, depending upon the nature and shape of the fastener In the preferred embodiment of the invention the openings 34 extend through both plies of the central region of the band 30, and the margins of the perforations are interengaged by stitches, eyelets, or threads inherent in the weave of the band itself. In this Way the maximum reinforcing effect of the tubular midportion is taken advantage of. Under certain circumstances, however, it may be desirable to form the perforations in only the outer ,ofthe two plies in the medial region of the band. In such a case, the unperforated inner ply serves as a protective barrier between the fastener 24 and the relatively delicate tie material beneath it.

Preferably the band 30 carries markings .35 arranged adjacent to the openings 34, to designate neckband sizes.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that in constructing the tie the prefabricated perforated band 30 is first stitched to the inner ply 2'1, and plies 21, 28 are then stitched together in backto-back relation, and the neckband is finally turned inside-out.

The resultant construction is unusually thin, compact, neat in appearance, and easy to slide through or under a collar. The neckband of the tie is no thicker at its midportion than at its margin, there being a total of four plies of material in each region. Moreover, the selvaged edges of the band 30 make it unnecessary to turn them in. and thus additional labor and bulkiness are avoided. Also. the fact that the stitches 3! extend only through the ply 2'! leaves the outside of the tie completely smooth and unimpaired in appearance.

In Figure 4 I have shown how the invention is eoually applicable to a tie that is not of the pre-tied variety. In this case, the bow parts 39 and 40 are provided with neckband portions 4| and 42 respectively. The portion 42 is permanently secured to a link 43 through which the neckband portion 4! slides. At the end of the portion 4! there is a fastener 44 which may be in the form of a hook. a button. a. T-shaped prong, or the like; and the added band 45, corresponding to the band 30 of Figures 1-3, is attached to the inside ply of the neckband portion 4! in the same way, and with the same advantages, as hereinbefore described.

The invention may obviously be used with a ready-tied, or regular untied, necktie oi the fourin-hand type, if desired.

In Figures -7 I have illustrated an alternative way to incorporate the prefabricated perforated band with a tie construction. The tie illustrated is of the pre-tied kind. as in Figure l. The neckband portions 50 and 5| extend rearwardly, the portion 50 has a hook 52 engageable with the loop 53, and the part 5| carries the fastening element 54 intended to be en aged with a selected one of the perforations in the band 59. In this case, however, the rear end of the inner ply 55 of the neckband portion 5| terminates at the line 58, and the added prefabricated band 59, corresponding to the band hereinbefore described, is attached to the rear end of the ply 55 so as to form a continuation of the latter. The longitudinal edges of the band are stitched, as at 60, to the longitudinal edges of the outer ply 55, and the desired result is thus achieved economically and expeditiously.

This construction has a number of advantages compared to that of Figures 1-3. There is a saving of tie material at the rear end of the inner ply, there is one less thickness at the central part of the tie, and the necessity for the additional stitches 3| is obviated. Moreover, as a direct result of the improved nature of the added perforated band of the present invention the thick ness of the necktie, at its marginal edges, is not increased beyond the normal four plies, as will be noted from a comparison of Figures 6 and 7.

Obviously, the perforations in the band 59 may extend through both of the plies in its central region, or only through the outer one; and they may assume a circular, elongated or other selected shape. Moreover, the applicability of the type of band attachment shown in Figures 5-7 to neckties'of regular untied kind, or to fourin-hands,

portion adapted to be doubled back upon itself, a

fastener at the end of said portion, and a band carried by the neckband portion and provided with longitudinally spaced perforations, whereby said fastener may be engaged with any selected perforation to adjust the effective length of said neckband: said band comprising a unitary prefabricated element of woven fabric having a medial region of woven tubular fabric and integral single-ply marginal regions on opposite sides of said tubular medial region and having selvaged longitudinal edges on said marginal regions, said perforations being in said tubular fabric medial region.

2. In an adjustable necktie having a neckband portion adapted to be doubled back upon itself and comprising two plies of tie material whose longitudinal edges are turned inwardly and stitched together, the rear end of the inner ply terminating short of the rear end of the outer ply, a fastener at the end of said neckband portion, and a band carried by the inner ply as a continuation of the latter and stitched at its longitudinal edges to the edges of said outer ply, said band being provided with longitudinally spaced perforations, whereby the effective length of the neckband may be varied by selectively engaging said fastener with one of said perforations: said band comprising a unitary prefabricated woven element having a medial region of woven tubular fabric and integral single-ply marginal regions on opposite sides of said tubular medial region and having selvaged longitudinal edges on said marginal regions, said perforations being in said tubular fabric medial region.

WILLIAM MAYER.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,003,359 Halpern June 4, 1935 2,029,181 Mayer Jan. 28, 1936 2,043,055 Mayer June 2, 1936 

